Tama Shimabukuro advanced to the Hong Kong Slam men’s singles final by beating Noe Khlif in straight games. The official completed-match record shows an 11–8 opener followed by an 11–2 second game. His previous round against Grayson Goldin had required three games. Hunter Johnson is listed as his final opponent, without a completed final score. The displayed date records our verification of official results, not a news article’s publication.
Coachino Insight
The shorter semifinal follows a longer quarterfinal. Coaches can discuss how players reset their preparation between opponents while keeping recovery and final-match planning separate.
Source: Pickleball.com official results·Published:
Judit Castillo has reached the Hong Kong Slam women’s singles final after defeating Kiora Kunimoto, her partner in the women’s doubles draw. The official semifinal record lists victories of 11–8 and 11–7. The next pairing is against Andie Dikosavljevic, with no completed final score available in the reviewed record. The displayed date records our verification of official results, not a news article’s publication.
Coachino Insight
Facing a familiar doubles partner requires a different competitive plan. Coaches can help players separate shared practice habits from the demands of a singles match.
Source: Pickleball.com official results·Published:
Ben Johns and Gabriel Tardio have advanced from the Hong Kong Slam men’s doubles semifinals. Official results show that they beat Tama Shimabukuro and JW Johnson, taking the opening game 11–7 and the next 11–6. The defeated pair had won their quarterfinal in straight games. This confirms a final berth, not a title. The displayed date records our verification of official results, not a news article’s publication.
Coachino Insight
For doubles preparation, review the partnership’s full run and the next opponent separately. A clean semifinal result still leaves another match to plan for.
Source: Pickleball.com official results·Published:
DUPR has appointed JOOLA as title sponsor, expanding a partnership that already includes college competition and an official ball agreement. The announcement also adds a shopping benefit: eligible DUPR+ members receive a $30 gift card for JOOLA products, while annual membership costs $19.99.
The offer applies only in eligible countries, but the announcement does not identify them. JOOLA already sponsors the DUPR College Pickleball Tour, and its JOOLA HC-40 serves as DUPR’s official ball for competitions it operates or sanctions.
Coachino Insight
For athletes weighing DUPR+, the gift card exceeds the annual fee in face value, but country eligibility remains an important unanswered detail.
The Global Pickleball Summit 2026, organised by RacketPro in Hong Kong from October 18 to 20, moved the conversation from growth to structure, Pickleball News Asia reports. Timed just before the Hang Seng Bank Hong Kong Slam, it opened with social play and a session with pros such as Ben Johns, Anna Bright and Len Yang.
Panels covered growth data, education, sustainable facilities, national federations, youth curricula and technology, and one asked whether the Olympics should be the goal at all. Erika Von Heiland Strader, who leads the Global Pickleball Federation, said recreation drives participation while governance brings legitimacy.
Coachino Insight
Talk of curricula and youth pathways at a global summit signals demand for qualified coaching. Coaches who document their programmes will be better placed as federations set standards.
Two of the six teams for the first MLP Asia season have introduced themselves, Pickleball News Asia reports. THE DOTS TOKYO, a venture between Japanese broadcaster TBS Holdings and dentsu Sports & Entertainment, will be captained by Yuta Funemizu and play the league's opening match in Japan, where the number of players is estimated at about 330,000.
The Viet Panthers, backed by Ascend Sports Partners, are led by Quan Do and include Tama Shimabukuro and Kaitlyn Christian. The season begins on November 13, and the first champion will be crowned on December 12.
Coachino Insight
Team leagues backed by media groups can create local stars quickly. Coaches in Japan and Vietnam may see fresh demand as fans who follow the teams look for places to play.
Anna Leigh Waters' exhibition at 91 Pickleball in Petaling Jaya on October 17 left many fans unhappy, Pickleball News Asia reports. Attendees complained that the event was oversold, with a packed venue, long queues and little time with the world No. 1. One fan said she and her partner paid RM1,300 each for VIP packages and still had nowhere to sit.
Franklin Malaysia apologised the following day and promised a dedicated contact channel for affected ticket holders, but gave no timeline, described no remedy and did not respond to refund demands.
Coachino Insight
Star appearances can win new fans or sour them. Clubs hosting big names should cap ticket sales at real capacity and promise only the access they can deliver.
